Paloma strengthening, continuing northward toward the cayman islands

At 3 a.m., the center of Hurricane Paloma was located near latitude 17.8 north, longitude 81.7 west or about 110 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 255 miles west of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Paloma is moving toward the north near 9 mph and this motion is expected to continue today. A gradual turn toward the northeast is expected tonight and Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Paloma will pass near the Cayman Islands late friday or early Saturday.

Reports from Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph, with higher gusts. Paloma is a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Additional strengthening is likely and Paloma is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane later today, and possibly reach Category 3 intensity by Saturday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.

Storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels, accompanied by large and dangerous battering waves, is expected near the center of Paloma in the Cayman Islands.

Paloma is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches of rain over the cayman islands with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches possible.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands. Interests in Cuba and Jamaica should closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Paloma. Watches and warnings may be necessary for portions of Cuba later today.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 6 a.m. followed by the next complete advisory at 9 a.m.